Hopes for Increased Tractor Output T HE close relationship which is
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being developed between the manufacture of tractors and motor vehicles might offset the disadvantage of low production under which British tractor makers labour in comparison with their American competitors. This relationship reduces overheads and capital outlay, and longer runs in the production of engines and certain other parts can be achieved than would be possible if tractors and vehicles were manufactured separately;
These conclusions are reached in a report on the agricultural machinery industry which has been issued by Political and Economic Planning.
This new trend has an important bearing on the problem of size, says the report. Most Russian and American tractors are of 40-50 h.p., or even larger, and there is doubt whether the new British designs of 20-30 h.p..could hope to compete with the larger machines in the foreign markets.
The P.E.P. report maintains that separation of tractor from motor manufacture, to enable more powerful tractors to be produced, would be too heavy a price to pay for an uncertain advantage.
The report declares that immediate efforts should be made to satisfy overseas requirements, estimated to amount to 2,500,000 tractors. It is suggested that home needs for 1947 will be about 40,000 tractors. Output in the first half of this year was Just over 21,000 units, against 13,000 in the first six months of 1946. As exports have not increased in the same proportion, about 18,000 tractors of the half-year's output are thought to be available for British agriculture.
Imports are estimated at 2,000 tractors, and the report suggests that the total number of machines available should practically balance the demand.
Only Great Britain and America are able to export on a substantial scale. In 1945 the United States exported nearly 64,000 tractors of all types. whereas British exports have not yet reached 10,000 a year..
ROYAL SHOW ENTRY DATE
DROVISIONAL notice of intention to take space at the Royal Show, at York, from July 6-9, must be given to the Royal Agricultural Society of England, 16, Bedford Square, London, W.C.1, not later than January 1. Entries and specifications on the prescribed forms must be received by the Society by February 2.
Entries for the Society's silver medal must also be received by February 2. The regulations concerning such entries have been revised.
added 2,306 battery-electrics built during the period January-September. Last year's production cf about 140,000 commercial vehicles is thus likely to have been greatly exceeded by the end of this month.
Of 124,801 vehicles made for civilian use in the first 10 months of the year, 39,354 were exported and 85,447 went to British operators. Production by classes was as follow:—Under 15 cwt., 47,396; 15 cwt. and under 6 tons, 64,196; 6 tons and over, 3,145: and motorbuses and trolleybuses, 10,064 The total production of commercial vehicles next year is expected to be slightly under 130,000. because of a cut in the steel quota. This statement by motor-trade interests has been disputed by the Ministry of Supply. According to the Ministry, the allocation of steel for the first half of 1948 is proportionately greater than in the last quarter of this year,
A meeting between the National Advisory Council of the Motor Industry and Mr. G. R. Strauss, Minister of Supply, was arranged to be held on Wednesday, when the council was to protest against any reduction in steel allocation.
GEARBOX CLAIM HEARING THE Royal Commission on Awards to
inventors will on December 15 hear a claim by Dr. H. E. Merritt in respect of a gearbox which he invented for use in Tanks. The Army installed gearboxes of this design to a value of E8,000,000. An interim award of 0,500 for the invention has been already paid to Dr. Merritt.